Pope couple murderer gets life sentence

PHAROAH Mhone, the 32-year-old Malawian man accused of killing a Malvern couple, Brian and Tilly Pope, and assaulting their son and daughter-in-law at Tweevley Guest Farm last year, was convicted of murder in the Harrismith Circuit Court earlier today (Wednesday, 25 February).

Mhone faced two charges of murder, two for attempted murder others related to housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. He was arrested at the farm on Monday, 21 April after a 12-hour search for the killer of Brian (61) and his wife, Tillie (47). Mhone also tried to kill Warren Pope (Brian’s son) and his wife, Marlene. Their children, aged one and four, were not harmed.

Mhone, a caretaker on the farm, made his way to where the family was staying and shot Brian and Tillie as they slept on Sunday, 20 April. He then attacked Warren before stabbing him in the neck with a garden fork. He hit Marlene over the head and broke her arm. According to police, Mhone forced Marlene and her children into a vehicle and drove to his lodging – also on the farm – to fetch his wife and child. He left the key in the ignition and Marlene took the opportunity to escape.

Judge Johan Daffue sentenced Mhone to two life sentences for the murders, 15 years each for two charges of attempted murder, five years for possession of an illegal firearm, one year for possession of illegal ammunition, five years for breaking and entering and eight years for kidnapping and a charge of attempted robbery.

These sentences will run concurrently. John Pope (Warren’s brother) said the state prosecutor stated after the sentencing that Mhone will serve a minimum of 25 years before he qualifies to apply for parole. However, he will probably end up serving 30 years in prison for all the other charges before he gets parole.

“During the trial the judge revealed details surrounding the circumstances of the murder. He mentioned that Mhone had numerous occasions to walk away – he stole a firearm earlier that day, then went to the farmer’s house and consumed alcohol to gain courage for what he was about to do. He wasn’t prepared to stop until he finished what he started, and it was because of this that he received the maximum sentence,” said John.

He added that Mhone did apologise to the family after his sentencing but said he didn’t know what his motive was for killing Brian and Tillie. The family motto – ‘Head high and faith intact’ – is what kept them strong through this ordeal, and they are pleased that justice had been served.